Antalya: Zero waste initiative highlights climate action potential of waste management
By Alex Adi At COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, discussions on climate action are drawing attention to an often-overlooked source of emissions: waste. Waste is the third-largest source of human-caused methane emissions and has contributed significantly to global warming since the Industrial Revolution. Global waste generation is also projected to increase by 50 per cent by […]
COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, is spotlighting waste management as a crucial component of climate action. Waste, specifically methane emissions, is the third-largest human-caused source of greenhouse gas emissions and has significantly contributed to global warming since the Industrial Revolution. Waste generation is expected to rise by 50 percent by 2050.
The COP31 Action Agenda is promoting the Zero Waste initiative, which aims to harness the climate action potential of waste management through circular economy solutions. Three areas of focus are preventing food waste, promoting circular economy policies, and integrating waste-related methane reduction into countries' climate plans (NDCs).
The initiative emphasizes the need to prevent emissions at the source and incorporate waste management into climate strategies. One African company, Ghana’s Jospong Group of Companies, is leading the charge with its Integrated Recycling and Compost Plant (IRECOP). This plant promotes waste sorting, recycling, and composting as alternatives to landfill disposal.
Dr. Noah Gyimah, Jospong Group's Chief Investment Officer, stresses the need for sustained investment to advance the zero-waste agenda. He highlights the construction of waste transfer stations closer to waste-generating communities as a priority, alongside creating investment avenues through private-led initiatives and youth groups.
Jospong is also sponsoring 25 Ghanaian journalists to attend COP31, aiming to enhance climate reporting and raise awareness about waste management and other environmental issues. The discussions at COP31 underscore the potential of waste management in climate action, with climate analysts highlighting its role in reducing methane emissions, improving public health, creating employment opportunities, and promoting cleaner cities.
Written by urgent.news from GBC Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
